There’s a new term I have learned while on the race: Ask the Lord (ATL). Contrary to my previous belief, it is not the abbreviation for Atlanta. ATL has been something we have been practicing as a squad with the Adventures Guatemala staff every Thursday during Church Activation.
Church Activation is a program led by the Adventures staff in efforts to disciple the next generation of world changers. Last week’s lesson was on identity. Kelsey talked about the fact that God already sees us as whole, blameless, and pure, despite what we have done in the past. We don’t have to earn grace from God, we just have to have our hands and hearts open to receive it. After we talked about it, we had time to sit in solitude and meditate on our perfect identity in Christ (not the identity we give ourselves). We then split up in teams to go out into the villages to practice what was preached and let other people know their identity in Christ.
This is where ATL comes into play. We gathered together as a team and asked God to show us an image/color/person/anything, then shared what God had given us in the group. Growing up in the methodist church, this is a total stretch of faith. Asking for prophecy from the Lord doesn’t normally go into the bulletin. But I stepped out in faith anyway.
Then we collected our quetzales and got on the chicken bus to Chimaltenango to visit our village and seek out what God showed us through prayer. We got there and started walking around with our eyes and ears and hearts open to where God was leading us.
After a bit I heard Makayla say “Wait, guys. This is it.”
It was the yellow house and the blue truck. The exact one God showed her.
“Okay…What do we do now?” we asked.
I can’t tell you how uncomfortable it is to go up to a random family and say we had a vision of their house from God. But God works through our uncomfort, and we did just that. The lady we had the privilege of meeting is named Alejandra, and she welcomed us into her home with no hesitation. We walked in and saw three beautiful children running and playing. I assumed they all belonged to her, but it turns out she is the caretaker for her niece and nephew because their mom had abandoned them. We had the awesome opportunity to hang out at Alejandra’s house for two hours or so. She poured her heart out to us, and we got to get a glimpse of her passion for children left behind. We saw her passionate and caring heart, and saw that she totally reflected Jesus’ love. We then had the opportunity to remind her of her identity in Christ and how the joy she gets from her children is the joy from the Lord. Alejandra has given up so much for her family , which reminds me so much of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.
In retrospect, I can see that God really wanted us to be there in that moment. Even if he had to use a yellow house and a blue truck. We left that house with full hearts that day. We poured out what God had given us and we got to be poured in to as well. All thanks to God.
Here’s some more photos from other ATL experiences this week! God gave me an image of a pile of puppies (weird right?) and we found them outside of a little tienda. We got to pray over the lady who works there and pray against the robberies that have been happening there. Anabelle (team leader) and Brayan (ministry host) found their images in a sweet little church. We had a great time talking and praying with the pastor and his sweet family there. God leads you to some awesome places if you keep your heart open!
Prayer Requests
The name of the village we serve in is called Bola de Oro (ball of gold). And wow, it is truly gold in God’s eyes. God is working there so much already, and we have the opportunity to walk the streets and partner with God in his mission for His people. Prayer for these beautiful people in this beautiful village is much appreciated!
Peace and Blessings,
Hannah Keller
